by Bestuchef.

The King of France appeared to stand alone; even as completely alone
as Frederick of Prussia. Every eye therefore was naturally fixed
upon these two powers, who seemed thus forced by fate to extend the
hand of fellowship to each other, and form such an alliance as
England had done with Russia, and Austria with Saxony.

This contract between Prussia and France would have been the signal
for a general war, for which all the powers of Europe were now
arming themselves. But France did not extend her hand soon enough to
obtain the friendship of Prussia. France distrusted Prussia, even as
Austria, England, Russia, and Saxony distrusted and feared the
adroit young adventurer, who in the last fifty years had placed
himself firmly amongst the great powers of Europe, and was bold,
brave, and wise enough to hold a powerful and self-sustained
position in their circle.

France--that is to say, Louis the Fifteenth--France--that is to say,
the Marquise de Pompadour, hated the King of Prussia manfully. By
his bold wit he had often brought the French court and its
immoralities into ridicule and contempt.

Austria and her minister Kaunitz and Maria Theresa hated Frederick
of Prussia, because of his conquest of Silesia.

Russia--that is to say, Elizabeth and Bestuchef--hated the King of
Prussia for the same reason with France. Frederick's cutting wit had
scourged the manners of the Russian court, as it had humiliated and
exposed the court of France.